History[]
Initially the only surviving original two seat Messerschmitt / Hispano left in the world,[N 3] this aircraft was originally operated by Ala 7 and 471 Escuadron of the EdA,[1] as a HA-1110-K1L, with French built Hispano-Suiza 12Z-17, prior to the fitting of a Merlin 500/45.[2] Following it's retirement in 1965, it was among the aircraft acquired by Spitfire Productions, and flown in the Battle of Britain film in 1968.[N 4] On several occasions it was flown by Luftwaffe Ace General Adolf Galland, who even had the opportunity to give Royal Air Force Ace Robert Stanford-Tuck a ride in the aircraft.
Upon completion of the filming, C.4K-112 was disassembled and shipped to Texas, where it has been in storage for 45 years.[N 5]
In July 2014 C.4K-112 was the sole two seater, out of a group of five Buchon aircraft, advertised for sale on the Platinum Fighters website, complete with a substantial spares package,[4] for US $3 million.[6] In late October 2014, it was reported that the group of aircraft had been bought by a European collector, who planned to restore, and eventually sell, some of the aircraft.[7]
During October 2015 C.4K-112 was one of four Buchons resold by Platinum Fighters to an Australian owner, who arranged for them to be transported to the UK for restoration to airworthiness. C.4K-112 was reportedly intended to be part of a commercial ride programme, alongside a two seat Spitfire.[8] following it's return to flight in November 2017.[1] Following reinstatement of it's filming registration, and a post restoration flight performed on 24 November 2017[1] by Richard Grace, C.4K-112 carried it's first fare paying passenger in 2018, operating from Sywell under the Ultimate Warbird Banner.[9]
Notes[]
- ↑ Messerschmitt Bf 109 aircraft, which were licence built by Spanish Hispano Aviaçion in the 40’ and 50’s, using Rolls-Royce Merlin engines.
- ↑ Dual Control version
- ↑ C.4K-169 was subsequently rebuilt to Bf-109G-12 two seat configuration, complete with DB605 engine, following a taxiing accident in 2013, and reflown in August 2016.
- ↑ Registered as G-AWHC for the production, it is unclear whether C4K-112 actually appeared on screen - it's dual seat configuration may have restricted it's use to training and formation camera work. However, it is known to be one of the three Buchons that was selected, along with C.4K-105 and C.4K-169, to join nine Spitfires and the B-25 camera plane for filming in France,[3] and may have operated at the back of formations filmed from the B-25 camera aircraft.
- ↑ Despite not having been flown since 1968 at this point,[4] C4K-112 was added to the US register as N1109G[5]
Sources[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Aeroplane - November 2020 Database - Page 68
- ↑ Aeroplane - November 2020. Pages 50-60
- ↑ Aeroplane - November 2020 - Page 37
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://www.platinumfighters.com/#!ha-1112-m4l/cmor
- ↑ Aeroplane - Autumn 2014. Page 7
- ↑ Aeroplane - Autumn 2014. Page 9
- ↑ Fly Past Magazine - December 2014. Page 7.
- ↑ Aeroplane - February 2016. Page 6
- ↑ Aeroplane - February 2020. Page 54.